National Math + Science Initiative Boosts College Readiness for More Than 13,000 Students Nationwide

Student enrollment in college-level math, science and English courses boosted by more than 50,000 in the 2013-2014 year due to the National Math and Science Initiative (NMSI). NMSI, which is working in just 566 schools, also raised the number of Advanced Placement qualifying exam scores by more than 18,500 exams, representing 13,000 additional students who are better prepared for college after this past school year. These 566 schools would have otherwise increased their qualifying exam scores by fewer than 1,400, representing about 1000 students.

Scores of three or higher (on 5 point scale) on AP exams qualify students for college credit at many colleges and universities across the country. Students who master AP courses in high school are three times more likely to graduate from college. African-American and Hispanic students who succeed in AP courses are four times more likely to graduate from college.

“Earning a college degree is the single most important factor influencing economic opportunity and social mobility for our young people, and introducing high school students to a more demanding curriculum is a critical component to prepare them for success down the road,” said Sara Martinez Tucker, CEO of NMSI. “We are making measurable, sustainable and scalable progress in improving college readiness among our nation’s students.”

Since 2008, NMSI’s College Readiness Program has been implemented in more than 620 schools across 26 states and the District of Columbia.

NMSI, a non-profit organization, was launched in 2007 by top leaders in business, education, and science to transform education in the United States.